Benjamin Sussman papers, 1940-1995
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Summary
- Creator:
- Sussman, Benjamin
- Abstract:
- Benjamin Sussman (1921-2003) was an advertising executive and founder of the Sussman, Jordan and Pollacheck advertising agency. He also worked for Petersen Publishing and as a freelance writer. Accession (2009-0238) consists of Sussman's original library of clippings on a wide variety of subjects, including a large section of vintage publications, that he used as inspiration and information in his work. The clippings include advertisements as well as articles, and are sorted by subject or topic using Sussman's own filing system. Acquired as part of the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
- Extent:
- 45 Linear Feet
33,750 Items - Language:
- Material in English
- Collection ID:
- RL.01270
Background
- Scope and content:
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Beginning in the 1940s, Sussman maintained an extensive library of clippings on a wide array of subjects, as well as a collection of vintage publications, which he drew upon in his research. This collection includes the majority of that library, as well as excerpts and clippings of Sussman's own writings. The collection includes advertisements as well as articles, and is sorted by subject or topic using Sussman's own filing system. Major themes include marketing, media, communications, production, design, merchandising and sales, publicity, industries and occupations, transportation, humans, animals, warfare, entertainment, holidays, and production sources.
- Biographical / historical:
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Benjamin Sussman was born in Connecticut and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He attended the Pratt Institute before joining the Marines and serving in the South Pacific during World War II.
Sussman began working in advertising in Los Angeles in the 1950s, where he worked for Thrifty Drug Store and Builders Emporium. He eventually opened Ben Sussman and Associates with his friend and partner, Jack Wallace. This later became Sussman, Jordan and Pollachek, and had accounts with companies like Kal Kan and Suzuki Motorcycles.
Outside of his own advertising agency, Sussman also wrote articles and columns for Petersen Publishing, particularly Motor Trend Magazine, and as a freelance writer for various advertising journals.
- Acquisition information:
- The Benjamin Sussman Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 2009.
- Processing information:
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Accessioned by Meghan Lyon, October 2009
Encoded by Meghan Lyon, October 2009
Accession(s) described in this finding aid: 2009-0238
Materials may not have been ordered and described beyond their original condition.
- Arrangement:
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Materials have been kept in their original order and folders. Empty folders have been removed from the collection and are not listed in this finding aid. For access to Sussman's original inventory, please consult the Collection Control File.
- Physical location:
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Subjects
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Contents
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Collection is open for research.
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- Terms of access:
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The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
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- Preferred citation:
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[Identification of item], Benjamin Sussman Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University